The Stop the Reservoir signs, seen in the villages surrounding the proposed SESRO reservoir site,
are now appearing in Abingdon town centre.
They raise concerns about the reservoir’s impact, particularly the potential rise in the water table – up to one metre.
Explaining the Water table rise of one metre, the Gard site says, ‘On February 13th 2024 Thames Water gave a presentation on Flooding and SESRO to Oxfordshire County Council, District Councils and other stakeholders . Its engineer from Mott MacDonald clearly stated that the Reservoir if constructed would cause a 1.0 metre rise in Groundwater level, requiring considerable ‘mitigation’. For the villages of East Hanney and Steventon this would greatly worsen existing flood conditions.’
The UK government has approved the construction of a £1.2 billion reservoir near Abingdon as part of a national water management plan. Local councils and community groups oppose the project, citing environmental concerns and lack of public consultation, and have initiated legal action.
Public consultations are held to let us think we will have some influence on any decisions. However experience tells us that the decisions have already been made: new housing developments, road improvements,reservoirs etc.etc. Democracy?
Thames Water have an enormous depot on the Hanney to Steventon Road which I pass every day. They obviously think the reservoir is happening. I’d better get on with the Abingdon to Wantage walk which I never get round to, before the route (and the said road) are destroyed.